The History Of Calvin and Calvinism: The doctrine that we today call Calvinism was formulated by John Calvin who produced his Systematic Theology (known as Institutes of the Christian Religion) in 1536. Since the Protestant Reformation had started just in 1534, Calvin lived and propagated his ideas at the very start of the Protestant Reformation and that is one reason why he became very influential in spite of his errors.

The new believers did not have much else to read during those days except Roman Catholic books. There were very few Protestant writers, and those who wrote massive volumes at the beginning were read with great interest by the new believers. What is more, most people had not seen a Bible, let alone a Protestant book on theology. Thus they were not in a position to assess the doctrines and influence of Calvin and Calvinism, and thus Calvinism became all-pervasive before most people could realize what was happening.

The authors of this book give an excellent summary of the history of Calvinism as well as John Calvin himself. They further explain how Calvinism and its mixture of strange doctrines have infiltrated the Brethren Assemblies in India.

Jesus came and spoke to them, saying,
“All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations,
baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you;
and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Amen."
(Matthew 28:18-20)